Why is Your Dogs Breath So Stinky

Halitosis or bad breath is something you know right up once you smell it. It’s also something you’ll smell on your dog if there usually caused by a build up of bacteria that causes an odor inside the gut, lungs or mouth. A bad breath that’s persistently there simply is an indication that the dog really requires some dental care. It’s also a sign of other deeper issues such as problems with the dog’s kidney, liver or gastrointestinal tract. Generally, bad smell is not just something to wish away in your furry friend but something worth investigating.

The cause of halitosis

In a dog, bad breath is brought about by a chain of events. The source is however bacteria, but that’s not the whole story. It’s very normal and natural for bacteria to live in any mammal including your dog’s body in such areas as the mouth. At times, bacteria causing a foul smell in the mouth of a dog can be quite destructive if it spreads to various organs such as sinuses and nasal passages leaving behind a trail of respiratory infections.

In addition, the same bacterium can extend beyond the sinuses into the canine’s blood stream affecting critical organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys. Of course, tartar, gum disease and dental disease can also bring about bad breath particularly in small canines.  Even so, if you observe your dog is suffering from a case of persistent foul breath you might want to take it as a larger health problem inside one of its internal organs, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system or the mouth.

Periodontal complications

In case of periodontal disease on your pet dog, check for bleeding red gums or brown mineralization around the teeth. If you can help the dog avoid periodontal disease it won’t feel the pain that comes with it, including bacterial infection, kidney, liver and heart damage. If a dog’s fountain of youth exists then it has to be better oral health; it can make a pet dog to extend its life by 15 percent.

In case you find the dog has a healthy looking mouth, chances are the mouth is not where the problem is. The reason for the foul breath might be digestive problems. The intestinal tract probably has unhealthy bacteria that with time worsen leaving a trail of intense halitosis. Some probiotic gel or powder has been used by canines with long-term intestinal upsets while a healthy natural yogurt has been found to always help if the issue is along the intestinal tract.

Establish the seriousness of the problem

Determining the seriousness of halitosis is important since a protracted case of bad breath could end up with serious health consequences. Rather, watch out for pointers to the seriousness of the issue that should give you a reason to rush to the vet. If you have to, always be ready to give feedback on the general behavior, fitness habits, oral hygiene and diet of the canine. A vet is worth consulting if you observe that:

  • The breath has a urine smell-indicates a kidney disease
  • Breath is uncharacteristically fruity or sweet followed by persistent urination and drinking too much than it’s normal-an indication of diabetes
  • A very foul smell that comes with vomiting with gums or corneas taking on a yellow tinge plus an obvious low appetite-signs of a problematic liver

The vet is the best placed expert to tell the real reason causing halitosis on your furry pet. Consulting a vet twice every 12 months can help in checking the mouth of the dog for dental complications. You can also have the teeth of the pet cleaned by a qualified expert under anesthesia that has to be supervised. Routine grooming visits where the groomer brushes your pets’ teeth is recommended also.